failing to stop

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failing to stop" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone or something does not come to a halt as expected or required. Example: "The driver was cited for failing to stop at the red light."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Mr. Bo paid the price for failing to stop him.

The New York Times

It also reprimanded Serbia for failing to stop it.

The Economist

He was charged with failing to stop the massacre.

The New York Times

It has been accused of failing to stop the violence.

The New York Times

Two security guards have been charged with failing to stop her murder.

The New York Times

The blurry video did not show a cyclist failing to stop at a red light.

The New York Times

Bill Clinton is often blamed for failing to stop the killing in Rwanda.

The Economist

Iran was failing to stop the ethnic cleansing of Baghdad's Sunnis, he was told.

The Economist

The announcer concludes, "Barack Obama: failing to stop cheating, failing American workers".

The New York Times

He is accused of failing to stop the killing of protesters.

The Guardian

In May, Barclays was fined £26m for failing to stop the price of gold being manipulated.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger verbs like 'prevent', 'halt', or 'impede' if you want to convey a more forceful or intentional effort to stop something.

Common error

Be clear about who or what is "failing to stop". Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating the subject responsible for the inaction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failing to stop" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun. It describes the act of not preventing something, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "failing to stop" is a grammatically sound and common gerund phrase used to describe the act of not preventing something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's often employed in news and media to highlight negligence, assign blame, or point out consequences. While generally neutral in register, its specific connotations can vary depending on the context. When using this phrase, clarity about who or what is failing to stop is paramount to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

neglecting to prevent

Emphasizes a lack of attention or care in hindering something.

not managing to halt

Highlights the lack of success in bringing something to a standstill.

omitting to impede

Focuses on the act of leaving out the necessary actions to obstruct something.

unable to avert

Highlights the lack of capacity to avoid an event.

refusing to intervene

Emphasizes a deliberate choice not to get involved and prevent something.

being remiss in halting

Indicates a careless or negligent failure to bring something to a stop.

not succeeding in blocking

Focuses on the lack of success in obstructing or preventing something.

falling short of hindering

Implies an attempt to prevent something, but ultimately being unsuccessful.

being ineffective in suppressing

Highlights the lack of impact or power in quelling something.

not being able to restrain

Emphasizes the inability to control or hold back something or someone.

FAQs

How can I use "failing to stop" in a sentence?

You can use "failing to stop" to describe someone's inability or negligence in preventing something. For example, "The government was criticized for "failing to stop" the spread of misinformation."

What are some alternatives to "failing to stop"?

Alternatives include "neglecting to prevent", "not managing to halt", or "omitting to impede", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "failing to stop" or "failure to stop"?

Both "failing to stop" and "failure to stop" are grammatically correct, but they function differently. "Failing to stop" is a gerund phrase, while "failure to stop" is a noun phrase. The choice depends on the sentence structure.

What's the difference between "failing to stop" and "not stopping"?

"Failing to stop" often implies a responsibility or expectation to prevent something, whereas "not stopping" is a more general description of inaction. For instance, "failing to stop" a crime suggests a dereliction of duty, while "not stopping" at a red light is a simple observation.